Friends of Restorative Justice of Washtenaw County

Restorative Justice Resources

Washtenaw County Organizations

The Dispute Resolution Center, 4133 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor MI 48108 thedisputeresolutioncenter.org

Videos

Books

Until we Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair by Danielle Sered, The New Press, New York, 2019

The Little Book of Restorative Justice, by Howard Zehr, Good Books, Intercourse, PA, 2002©

The Little Book of Victim Offender Conferencing, by Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, Good Books, Intercourse, PA, 2002©

People

Howard Zehr (Eastern Mennonite University) viewed by some as the founder of the restorative justice movement, likely is its most knowledgeable proponent/scholar. The Zehr Institute is a valuable resource. His classic Little Book series includes:

  • Zehr, Howard. (2015). The Little Book of Restorative Justice (Revised and updated). Good Books.
  • Amstutz, Lorraine Stutzman. (2009). The Little Book of Victim Offender Conferencing: Bringing Victims and Offenders Together in Dialogue. Good Books.
  • Pranis, Kay. (2005). The Little Book of Circle Processes: A New/Old Approach to Peacemaking. Good Books.
  • Toes, Barb. (2006).  The Little Book of Restorative Justice for People in Prison: Building a Web of Relationships. Good Books.
  • Davis, Fania E. (2019). The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice: Black Lives, Healing and Social Transformation. Good Books.

This book edited by Zehr and Towes is an anthology of critiques of the restorative justice movement since its introduction 25 years ago:

  • Zehr, Howard & Towes, Barb, Eds. (2004) Critical Issues in Restorative Justice. Criminal Justice Press.

Sujatha Baliga (2019 recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award) is the Director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact/Justice, where she helps communities across the nation implement restorative justice alternatives to juvenile detention. Her recent talks and media presentations can be accessed at her website sujathabaliga.com.

Danielle Sered directs Common Justice in Brooklyn, NY, which operates the first alternative-to-incarceration and victim service program in the US to focus on violent felonies in adult courts. She is one of the leading proponents of a restorative justice approach to violent crime. Her book is:

  • Sered, Danielle. (2019). Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration and A Road to Repair. New York: The New Press.

Research

There is a growing literature on the effectiveness of the restorative justice approach to criminal justice. Here are two examples:

  • Wilson, David B., Ajima, Olaghere & Kimbrell, Catherine S. (2017). Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Principles in Juvenile Justice: A Meta-Analysis. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Criminal Justice Reference Service.
  • Latimer, Jeff, Dowden, Craig & Muise, Danielle. (2005). The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Practices: A Meta-Analysis. The Prison Journal, Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 127-144.

Textbook

This textbook for a university course on restorative justice is readable, comprehensive and up-to date.

  • Hass-Wisecup, Aida Y. & Saxon, Caryn E. (2018). Restorative Justice: Integrating Theory, Research and Practice. Carolina Academic Press. LLC.